The Holstein Foundation is hosting a silent auction at the 2012 National Holstein Convention, June 27-30, in Springfield, Mo., with proceeds benefiting Holstein Foundation youth and young adult programs, such as dairy bowl, dairy jeopardy, Young Dairy Leaders Institute (YDLI), and educational workbooks. Bid last, take home some unique items, and help support the Holstein Foundation’s mission of “developing dairy leaders for tomorrow!”

A one-of-a-kind, limited edition “Foster Mothers of the Human Race” print has been generously donated by Hoard’s Dairyman magazine. The print is signed and numbered (42 of 1,250) by artist Bonnie Mohr, and is distinctive in that it is remarqued with an image of the Holstein cow’s head, hand-sketched in the margin by Mohr. The painting is professionally matted and framed; several pictures can be viewed online at www.facebook.com/HolsteinFoundation. Buyer will be responsible for transporting the painting home.

Several lots of Holstein embryos have been donated by Sunshine Genetics, out of some of the breed’s popular cow families. There are 12 lots, consisting of three to four embryos each, sired by bulls such as Gillette Windbrook-ETS, Maple-Downs-I G W Atwood-ET, Picston Shottle-ET and Sandy-Valley Colt P-Red-TW. The complete list of embryos and pedigrees can be viewed on the Holstein Foundation web site. Buyer will be responsible for shipping costs from the Sunshine Genetics facility in Whitewater, Wis.

For more details about the items selling, visit www.holsteinfoundation.org . If you are unable to attend the Convention but are interested in placing a bid, or have other questions, contact Jodi Hoynoski at 800.952.5000, ext. 4261, or jhoynoski@holstein.com.